Multiple Stakes-winning Commands gelding Voice Commander returned to the winners stall on January 15 and in the process gave his leading sire his eighth Stakes winner of the season, more than any other stallion in the southern hemisphere.
Attempting the 2000m for the first time, the Nick Olive-trained Voice Commander jumped straight to the lead and from that point onwards he was never troubled to score a two-and-a-quarter length victory over Bid Spotter and last start Stakes winner Spinney (Octagonal).
Eight lengths in front of the field mid-way through the race, jockey Kathy O’Hara rode a masterful race to allow the now three time Stakes winner to use his most powerful attribute to run his rivals into the ground – his high cruising speed.
Out of the Magic Ring mare Voice Mail, Voice Commander was bred by Mr GL Lesnikowski and comes from the family of G1 performers Tristram’s Belle, North Lady, Maharajah and Balmerino.
Commands eight individual Stakes winners this season include G1-winning three-year-old Erewhon, G2 winner Soul and the Stakes-winning mares Palomares, She Rules, Royal Commands, Brasileira and Kanzan.
Commands has had a very good start to the Magic Millions yearling sale on the Gold Coast, with a yearling out of the Zabeel mare Regard purchased by Victorian syndicator Brad Spicer for $205,000 and during the remaining two days of the sale, the leading sire has a further four yearlings catalogued.
